Totally leftfield idea, but they’re pretty cheap these days, ALL spare parts easily available, they’re light, pedal well, and are well suited to endurance racing (if not quite so short and steep as a lot of full on XC bikes)…

ohh can you really get Maverick 7’s for that money?
Personnaly always lusted after them.. though the shock does count against it, in this case.
As it for a friend and I can’t recommend something like that, when the shock may need replacing & end up being a nitemare to source (or just down right expensive).
If it was for me, I’d take the risk..

Seen ML7’s going for as low as £200 for a ropey one, and good condition ones for as low as £300 yeah!

Spares are easily available z1ppy. Simpsons Cycle Service (the guy used to work for the importers, Extra) has anything you could possibly need, and he can also undertake any servicing work on the forks and shocks too!

Also, as a company Maverick are great. I’ve emailed the owner before, asking for advice and opinions (he hangs around on the MTBR forum loads), and he has been more than happy to help! Emailed me back within a few hours, and with some comprehensive advice, and product knowledge (I was asking questions about a 6 year old frame too!).

But yeah, if it’s for a friend who doesn’t know so much about MTBing (hence I guess asking you), might be safer to go down the route of a much more mainstream brand.

But yeah, if it’s for a friend who doesn’t know so much about MTBing (hence I guess asking you), might be safer to go down the route of a much more mainstream brand

Yep, this is the case, he been riding for mtb’s for 30 years but just rides, and doesn’t worry about the latest fad. This in his word is very likely to be the last mtb he buys (I doubt it, as he’s only 56), so I need to recommend something that gunna last or be easily repairable/replaceable.